Teaching is often referred to as a skill. One I can imagine needed to maneuver and mold the minds of many young impressionable children. The goal is to develop raw talent into critical thinkers as well as doers. Skill comes into play, especially, when you apply it to schools located in underserved communities where resources are scarce. The skill is to make something out of nothing, to reach beyond circumstance, to provide a safe, conducive haven for learning.
Some would say it's an art form. The art is in knowing how best to reach as many students possible in a given period of time. It's an art to hold the attention of students for more than five minutes. Not every teacher has mastered the artistry, they're mechanically following rules set up by others outside of the classroom. How can you make policy for people you don't come into contact with? I guess that's where the art comes in. The art is balancing the needs of students with the policies in place that herd them along but leave them less than anything resembling a full 360 degree education.
Christopher Emdin, in a Ted Talk, poses the challenge of how to create magic by enthralling and teaching students at the same time. While this sounds easy, putting it into motion is insurmountable for many; especially, when teachers are placed into environments they have no connection to. They miss out on certain nuances that create the fabric and pulse of the lives of their students. This pulse can be found in barbershops, churches, and street corners, and can be used as a key to transforming the classroom experience. This is where you find the key to making 'magic.'
Mr. Emdin eloquently explains what his idea of magic is and how it works in the classroom. He provides us a with an engaging presentation that I think you will find very interesting.
Take a look: http://bit.ly/1hszLxd
No comments:
Post a Comment